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Gould's Academy
Bartlett, Tennessee · Private for-profit career school · Training programs available:
Address: 8000 US Highway 64, Bartlett, TN 38133 · Phone: (901) 842-1772 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Sanction on record, since lifted — Jan 2025 · Show Cause · National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences; May 2026 · Accreditation Reaffirmed: Probation Removed. 3 sanction actions in the window.
Gould's Academy is a private for-profit trade school in Bartlett, Tennessee offering esthetician, cosmetology, and nail technician programs, accredited by NACCAS.
Gould's Academy has an 83.7% completion rate, above the Tennessee state average of 64.3%, and graduates carry median debt of $7,767, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance at Gould's Academy is $23,699, federal financial aid is accepted, and 56.0% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skincare specialists | $22,200 | $36,590 | $44,500 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $25,700 | $31,310 | $39,990 |
| Manicurists and pedicurists | $20,450 | $34,810 | $40,000 |
| Barbers | $22,850 | $24,690 | $31,930 |
| Massage therapists | $36,960 | $50,070 | $64,050 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Tennessee (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 51 | $19,220 | $18,398 | $7,677 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 42 | $19,220 | $18,398 | $7,677 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 38 | $19,220 | $18,398 | $7,677 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 13 | $19,220 | $18,398 | $7,677 |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Gould's Academy is a private for-profit trade school located in Bartlett, Tennessee, a large suburb. The campus is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences and participates in federal financial aid (Title IV), meaning students can use FAFSA, Pell Grants, and federal loans to help pay for enrollment. Its programs center on personal care trades, with the most-awarded credentials being Esthetician schools (51 completions), Cosmetology schools (42), and Nail technician schools (38), across five program families total.
Federal Scorecard data shows a completion rate of 83.7%, above the state average of 64.3%. Median debt for graduates is reported at $7,767. Median earnings 10 years after entry are not reported for this campus in federal data. Annual cost of attendance is listed at $23,699, and 56.0% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of low-income enrollment.
This campus may suit students pursuing focused, hands-on training in esthetics, cosmetology, nail technology, barbering, or massage therapy rather than a multi-year associate degree path, though exact program lengths are not reported here and should be confirmed directly with the school. Adults considering a career change should verify current program offerings, schedules, and licensing requirements by contacting Gould's Academy directly or reviewing its accreditor listing and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for the most current federal data before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Gould's Academy offers programs in esthetics, cosmetology, nail technology, barbering, and massage therapy. The most-awarded programs are Esthetician schools (51), Cosmetology schools (42), and Nail technician schools (38).
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Gould's Academy is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences, and its status is listed as Accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA, Pell Grants, and federal loans.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 83.7%, which is above the Tennessee state average of 64.3%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt for graduates is reported at $7,767.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are not reported for this campus in federal data; check the College Scorecard link for updates.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The annual cost of attendance is reported as $23,699.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Gould's Academy is a private for-profit institution, which can affect tuition costs and financial aid options compared to public or non-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in this data; contact the school at (901) 842-1772 or visit gouldsacademy.com for details.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences and review federal outcome data at the College Scorecard link: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?493150.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The school offers focused personal-care trade programs rather than multi-year degrees, which may suit those seeking a shorter path into a new field, though exact schedules are not reported here.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements are not reported in this data; contact the school directly to confirm which state licenses apply to its cosmetology, esthetics, or barbering programs.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Gould's Academy at (901) 842-1772 or through its website, gouldsacademy.com.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not included in this listing; use the College Scorecard link to compare completion rates, costs, and debt across similar programs.
Nearby trade and career schools in Tennessee
- Concorde Career College-MemphisMemphis, TN · 55% completion
- Tennessee College of Applied Technology-MemphisMemphis, TN · 55% completion
- Gould's AcademyMemphis, TN · 80% completion
- Paul Mitchell the School-MemphisMemphis, TN · 59% completion
- Empire Beauty School-E MemphisMemphis, TN · 67% completion
- Vibe Barber CollegeMemphis, TN · 89% completion
- Massage Institute of MemphisMemphis, TN · 100% completion
- Success Barber CollegeMemphis, TN · career school
See all trade and career schools in Tennessee or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.